THERE ARE REPORTEDLY THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE:"THOSE THAT MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, THOSE WHO WATCH WHAT HAPPENED AND THOSE WHO WONDER WHAT HAPPENED".THERE ARE ALSO SOME WHO PLAY THE VIOLIN, BOTH IN SCHOOL OR CHURCH, AND THOSE AT CARNEGIE HALL. THERE ARE THOSE WHO PLAY BASEBALL IN A 'SAND LOT' AND THOSE WHO WILL SOON COMPETE IN THE WORLD SERIES. THERE ARE THOSE WHO DRAW AND OTHERS WHO EXHIBIT AT MOMA. SO, WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH COSPLAY?I SEE IT THIS WAY. ONE CAN LOOK BACK AND THINK IN RETROSPECT- THAT'S THE NORMAL/EASY WAY TO VIEW ONE'S WORLD AND ITS EVENTS. WHAT WE AT CINEMA CIRCUS ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO IS TO PLAY OUR PART IN LETTING YOU KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING BEFORE AND AS 'IT' HAPPENS!THE 'IT' IS A PHENOMENON GROWING IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY THAT IS ALSO FLOURISHING IN THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS CHINA, JAPAN, ETC.THE FACT IS, COSPLAY IS BECOMING A MAJOR CULTURAL FOCUS AND ATTRACTION RIGHT HERE IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY AND YOU ARE A PART OF IT- KNOW IT IN THIS RESPECT, OR NOT.LOCAL PEOPLE LIKE PHILIP CABLE, ROLAND AT SILK-ROAD IN SIERRA VISTA MALL, RICK PHEOUNG, HOA TRAN, CHRIS MACKEY, SARAH GONZALEZ (sp/) AND ZAPPCON ARE THE ONES 'MAKING IT HAPPEN!DO YOU KNOW THAT TYLER MILLER HAS CREATED 'FRESCON' (FRESNO STATE UNIVERSITY) WHICH IS NOW SPREADING ITS 'NERDLY' THEME THROUGHOUT THE HALLS OF HIGHER EDUCATION NATIONWIDE?ERNIE GEE IS HOSTING A HUGE MODELERS EVENT AT CITY COLLEGE AS OTHER EVENTS LIKE 'KAMIKAZI KON' AND ASIAN FEST AT CITY COLLEGE ARE ALSO ADDING TO THE SURGE OF YOUR PASSIONS AND SKILL SETS= COSPLAY AND RELATED MUSIC, AUTOMOBILE DECOR, CLOTHING.SPEAKING OF "CLOTHING", HAVE YOU YET TO VISIT 'THE FUN FACTORY' AND MET JESSICA QUALLS WHO MAKES CUSTOM CLOTHES/COSTUMES AND READY-MADE COSTUMES AND VERY COOL ACCESSORIES? AH YEAH!COMIC BOOKS? HEROES COMICS IS HUGE AND IS A SUCCESS-STORY IN ITSELF. DAVE HAS BEEN AT IT FOR A LONG TIME AND HIS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION HAS PAID OFF- FOR ALL OF US.WELL, THIS IS MORE THAN AN UNPAID ADVERTISEMENT- IT IS A DECLARATION TO YOU THAT OUR CENTRAL VALLEY IS TAKING ON A NEW 'CROP'. THE CENTRAL VALLEY IS RAPIDLY BECOMING THE CENTER FOR COMIC CONVENTIONS, COMIC ART AND ARTISTS like SEKOSHI BETA- (spelling?)TULARE SCI-FI CON HAS ATTRACTED CELEBRITIES WHO WOULD HAVE STOPPED FOR FUEL ON THEIR WAY TO THE MORE 'FAMOUS' CITIES, BOTH LA AND SF! PHILIP CABLE BROUGHT US THE MAKER OF THE SHARK IN 'JAWS', A DARTH VADER CELEBRITY FROM 'STAR WARS' FROM SILICON VALLEY, A VOICE-ACTOR= ANDREA LIBMAN WHO DOES PINKY PIE AND FLUTTERSHY FOR 'MY LITTLE PONY', AND A 'SCREAM QUEEN' BABE FROM A NUMBER OF HARVEY CORMAN FILMS FOR CYRING OUT LOUD!THE '501ST LEGION' HAS A SUPER COOL CAST WHO DONATE THEIR TIME AND ELABORATE COSTUMES FOR CHARITY AND SPECIAL EVENTS!WHEW- LETS I BELABOR THE ISSUE AND HOPE YOU ARE STILL WITH ME HERE.SIMPLY PUT: "HEY! WE ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE COMIC CONVENTION WORLD HERE IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY SO NOW YOU WILL NEVER, EVER BE THE ONES WHO . . . .​ "WONDERED WHAT HAPPENED?!!"

When I was at Paramount Studios to act as John Hancock in SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH (TV show), I was talking to an employee there.During our conversation he told me this story:"My brother and I were in the cafeteria here one day. A man was sitting alone at a table. This person started talking to them and stated that he was looking for investors to give him ($5,000, I believe he said) for 'points' in a movie he wanted to produce.They asked him who would be the star-actor and he said, "Me".His brother and he did considered it, but his brother later told the employee that he was not interested in giving this man money, so he went along with his brother- passing up the chance.Mr. S. had told them that they would get so many 'points' for contributing, but the brother refused to take the 'risk'.The stranger in the cafeteria said that his name was Sylvester Stallone.He was looking for investors in a movie titledROCKY.

By the way . . . these 'points' they would receive would have netted the employee, and his brother, around a million dollars . . . .EACH!"

Only in Hollywood? Do YOU have a moral to this story, and would YOU have given this stranger any of YOUR money?Are there wonderful chances beckoning you today- this very minute?

Are you looking to 'have it ALL'?All the performers at CINEMA CIRCUS believe in YOU and want YOU to reach and even EXCEED your own expectations!!

Reportedly, young and older adults are climb up from the basement, escaping out through the bedroom window, escape the workplace, or whatever, and venturing beyond their computer screens to play in the out-of-doors that is waiting to be discovered, if not reunited.

Seems like a simple idea on a familiar game just took a new generation, and others, by storm- again!

I am not a 'fan' of the 'Six or Eleven O'Clock Abuse'. (where Negative information is sold at a price), so I have not heard any true horror stories, but I have heard more positive comments regarding the new twist on an older game which basically morphed to:

. . . leave the toadstool, go outside, get out and walk around the areas where one dwells while still indulging in this time-honored favorite P-game pastime. . . . .

So, curiously, who can figure out who has been voluntarily incarcarated in front of an indoor based computer, table, and/or cell phone for too long?

Well, a certified 'Physical Catabolic Practitioner' might find this phenomena a most provocative topic of study!One such Practitioner might ask, "Who has been a 'gamer shut-in' and how long have these very intelligent people been basically inert- physically speaking? More to the point, "Can a trained, educated observer determine the extent of their lack of regular exercise by simply watching them as they venture out of their habitats?

Certainly their brains have been in high-gear, and firing synapses far more rapidly than this author could consistently do, but what are the possible signs and symptoms of those who have been regularly indulging in this pursuit?

One PCP might note the 'gamer-gate'.If one has been involved in the lack of physical activity as of late (6 months or less), one would walk rather 'normally', with perhaps some long-muscle shortening, with minor functional weaknesses visible to the trained eye.

Over six (6) months of gaming, perhaps a Practitioner would note a forward head, slightly slumped shoulder-frame and short, staccato steps.

When an 'avid, long-time gamer' is observed, a PCP clinician could easily recognize one who has been constantly entrenched in the mind, minus-physicality habit, with a more marked set of observable characteristics.​Characteristics of a gamer indulging in over six (6) month are as follows:The long-time gamer is noted by a strident and limited gait, lessened degree of stamina, forward slumping head and shoulders, lack of attention beyond one meter or less, and a walk that, for lack of a more scientific analogy resembles- a chicken who has recently undergone bilateral hip replacement surgery that went really bad- like botched!

Just kidding.

We her at the CINEMA CIRCUS just hope that you all have fun as you venture out into the big-wild world, get some much needed and beneficial exercise, and enjoy the fact that-providing you do live long enough- realize that someday just being able to ambulate down the hall and leave whatever dwelling you happen to end up in will be a total blessing, a blessing that you once took for granted.By the way, do you know anyone who is truly home-bound, in a 'home' or facility that would welcome a smile accompanied with an assist down the hall?Poke your head in their doorway and take then for a spin around their World.Play on . . . . . .

This author was at the Burns and Gobble Bookstore in Riverpark this week. It was quite interesting, albeit exciting, to see two magazines covering Cosplay!Goes to show us that this 'expressive art-form', as I consider it, is gaining momentum.Anyway, one article noted some contention about an article written regarding- oh what was it? . . . . I forget.(What do I expect at one o'clock in the morning after being awakened by a cramp in my left-leg shin?)Whatever it was about reminded me of an interview we will be posting soon on YouTube at CINEMA CIRCUS; a video recorded at our recent event here in Fresno that Rick Pheoung organized called 'Ani-Me POP Summit'.During this particular interview with Lindsey Kister (an extremely prolific cosplayer with over 70 costumes to her name, and who was previously featured in one of our CINEMA CIRCUS YouTube posts) made two salient points that I think worth sharing at his hour.One of these is that the costume she made for the Summit was made from articles that were of a 'recycled or regenerated' nature- eco-friendly if you will. The second, and perhaps the most intriguing, was that she said that (paraphrasing here) that "one does not have to spend a lot of money to make a costume that one can enjoy wearing and still be a part of the whole cosplay phenomena!"- end unquote. . . . . . Come to think of it again, I do remember that the article I mentioned previously was supporting her point of view.That is, the cosplay magazine article reported that some entity had been demeaning in that this entity was promoting a negative perspective; one that inferred that being a cosplayer was NOT really all about enjoying the experience, but was seen as supporting the perspective that having some technological mastery of a set of complex skill level(s), or having an elevated budget, was what cosplay is, or should be about.Whether they meant to infer this or not is irrelevant because that was how it was taken by the cosplay community!The cosplay-public was VERY upset with this stance, and they eventually recanted what they said in order to quench the flames of anger.Considering the furor that was caused by this negative contention, I have to sit here at this computer- before I try to get some shut-eye again- and re-appreciate Lindsey's statements and perspective, and that this young lady- 'Gets it'!So, whether you take an old handkerchief and turn it into a mask, or glue some crumpled grocery bags together to fashion a leather-like vest, cut-up Chlorox bottles to make your armor-GO FOR IT! JOIN US! ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE!BE the WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO BE because when it is all said and done, Cosplayers recognize that you possess the super-powers to live out the freedom to express your individuality, your inner hero, villain, or whatever in you that YOU want to!Like special forces engaged behind enemy lines, we will hold fast to the motto: "No cosplayers left behind!"If you still need to live up to someone's expectations- live up to YOURS!The truth is, that when it comes to your passion and creativity-not even the sky can limit you!

A few words of circumstantial situations come to mind. . . . .Mainly, the issue at hand is:Keeping the PLAY in Cosplay involves a fanciful condition of portraying a 'fictitious' character created in the name of amusement, but entwined with the condition of the human being, including the act of coping with reality as we see it at the moment in time, albeit the time(s) in which we presently live.Within the act of assuming a persona, be it villain or 'Super-hero', involves more than donning threads, brandishing some form of substantial weapon, including affiliated footwear.Becoming another entity involves, even requires the cosplayer's passion to produce, the purpose to please and a personal reason to engage in artful fantasy for the satisfaction of creating enjoyment and, hopefully, physical forms of communication and socialization- all respectable.What has become interesting are the expressed situations wherein the 'play' becomes skewed and/or rather obscure within the entirety of the cosplay milieu. That is, whether a participant is either nationally famous, or locally admired, the element of negative expressions of egos has repeatedly come into play. We have all heard of cosplayers feeling that they have not always been respected.Certainly this is an important and natural integral part of this form of activity and these 'situations' have become attached to the cosplayers in parasitic way.Perhaps the word 'parasitic' may appear a rather strong descriptive word, yet it is not completely negative as much as it is a realistic adjective.When ego becomes involved, when one strains another's feelings, or one feels injured, therein lies the opportunity for an incision to expose one's sensitive side.We have read about, known and heard where cosplayers have felt slighted, been treated unfairly, and even demeaned by those who effectively undermine the joy-of-engagement in another's art-form- even the art-form known as 'Cosplay'.Herein lies the heart of the cosplayer's soul; where one exhibits their pleasure by displaying and being willing to set themselves apart as purveyors of creating and wearing costumes and exposing their alter-egos. The cosplayer's heart, as anyone's heart, is necessary for survival. It may also become a target that is as frail as any other organ. In this case, our 'hearts' are our strivings for admiration and acceptance by those we respect, want to relate to, and favorably impress and be respected by.Again, we have read and known our friends who have had confrontations with those who have twisted and tugged at their art-form, even to the point of hurting one's innocent enthusiasm and bruising the heart of one's joy.This author has concluded that such negative situations are birthed and sustained by integral parts of being truly human- not mere creations of fantasy. This 'true-villain' is alive and well among each of us. Locked away and maintained in a condition of dormancy, it may arise during times of stress which allows, and even encourages this anti-hero to rise up and dwarf the stature of anyone succumbed by its power. It's power morphs one's normally docile nature like a demon, swelling within the afflicted as the most gargantuan of any artist's imagination.This villain is called 'jealousy'; the formidable foe that has turned nation against nation, and friend against friend. This foe is not merely depicted in fantasy, anime, or any other form of like-activity. This particular part of one's being has the ability to take control, even without it's victim recognizing that it has taken over.Cosplay is certainly a true and pure form of art in more ways than one might recognize, or that some may even admit it to be. Some may consider the efforts of these individuals to be less than serious, or meaningful, much less than relevant within our society. Whether one has been 'attacked' by another's personal attitude which has resulted in bad feelings, injured feelings, including anger no less, the operant definition here is that it is a bona fide 'art-form'.Herein lies the true and nature of these conflicts. That is, whether one has been slighted by another's attitude or comments, the fact that cosplay is a art-form puts it in a wondrous and most unique category of endeavors.This means that, being a genuine art-form, it harbors similar characteristics of any other creative medium. By it's birthright, cosplay-art plays within the inherent rules, definitions and boundaries of any form of art! In other words, by creating a character, becoming another for even a short period of time, one is now playing within these same rules which allows one to stretch into the world of imagination.By engaging in the nature of art itself, one may 'legally' create disharmony, push limits of expression, defy the limits of 'normal', abhor complacency, challenge the status-quo and yes, create jealousy and disturb assumed equilibriums. After all, it is art that keep us creating, imagining, redefining, challenging- all in an effort to deal with conflict in all its forms during one's day-to-day existence. Art has the ability and responsibility to investigate and sometimes create solutions, instilling hope that we, as humans, may be able to conquer impossible odds that tear away at one's rational view of existence.Therefore, let it be considered, that if one feels that they have been treated unfairly, singled out, been a victim of negative and subversive attitudes- either as a person, or as a 'player'- rejoice!It is the author's view and conviction that if an artist is not criticized, not able to stand alone even if placed within another's irresponsible or inaccurate scenario, then one is not taking advantage of the power and responsibility of performing one's artistic participation.That is: "If an artist is ever scrutinized, set apart, even criticized for one's art, it is tantamount to willingly assuming insignificance, with no one else is to blame."Stand stubbornly proud of your craft.Keep the PLAY in Cosplay and enjoy the wildest of rides!

It has been said that the human brain is the most complex thing in the entire Universe!

Think about it! Is it not amazing- absolutely incredible- how the human mind possesses the ability to assimilate a multitude of factors we consider 'reality' and fuse these myriads of bundles of abstract concepts with the 'unknown'; and then analyze their potential relationships, eventually producing a plethora of possible outcomes, ie., plausible scenarios of future events?

Possibly more dramatic are the surprising, unexpected experiences that we humans feel, see, or hear; ones that are so awesomely profound, which are bestowed on us as rare and wondrous gifts- boluses of startling realizations, if you will. These 'gifts' are wondrous and special. They are not showered upon us frequently and, in more cases than one may realize, and despite their dynamic significance, they may go unnoticed- never to be appreciated.

This blog entry is leading up to the sharing of such a 'gift'; a gift that this author himself, has not only recognizes, but appreciates as one such stupendous occurrence that only, evidently, a human brain is capable of materializing into rational thought and out of random chaos.

Without forethought, concentration or process of active deductive reasoning, I was recently struck with a miraculous compilation of blatant wisdom and acute understanding.

What, you ask, could be powerful enough to fulfill the criteria of the above categories of dynamic cognition?

Now is the time to get your family, friends and arch-villains together to enjoy the nextCOMICoCONVENTIONin a saloon (oops!) . . a City near you!Central California, Northern CA and, of course, Southern CA is locked and loaded to bring you varmints the best of cosplay and all other manner of play. So, Please, support your passions, fun, and mutual admiration of the genres that make up the world of COMICs!

This blog-entry may not be overly complicated, but may be worth a slosh of one's time to contemplate.

Perhaps a sale on broad-swords and jousting gear went un-noticed; hence your chance to ward of the Monguls must be delayed until next payday and, as a result may seems like a lost siege- totally frustrating, maddening and belittling.

Yet, isn't it perhaps true that when I, for instance, get so push-out-of-shape and when I focus on the one thing that went 'wrong , it is so easy for me to not recognize the million and twelve things that DID go 'right' but simply went unnoticed- not to mention unappreciated?

Being human is no excuse. Being human makes falling into this pit all the more ridiculous?

Within the last two days I have had conversations with three young adults who have "always wanted to do something."One lad wanted to become proficient at photography, and the other two wanted to "create a COSPLAY costume."What is interesting is that each of them have been hesitant to start- for YEARS!For instance, the would-be photographer said that he had a camera when he was 16 years-young but never really begin taking pictures. The other two always wanted to make a COSPLAY costume, but . . . but . . but . . WHY NOT?In either case, it seems that lacking the Big 'C'= Confidence was holding all of them back, i.e.., "Will I be good enough? Do I have the talent? Can I learn the necessary skills?"The comment that one of them said struck me was, "It is never too late to start."Now, this is a common, and mostly true statement, but my reply back was, "Yes, but you can wait TOO long." There is no guarantee that he will be able to fulfill a dream as life can deal us a bad card- right?One assumes that it is 'never too late' because one always assumes that the future is available- that we have an ongoing future and that 'time is on our side'.What if time is NOT on one's side? Now LONG does time need to be to BE on our side? How many people in the "O" section of the newspaper thought that time was on their side, and that it would NEVER be too late to start?SO, how about the 'reasons' why one does not start right NOW? Let's consider that a major 'reasons' for thinking that 'it is never too late to start' is a lack of confidence- resulting in the unwillingness (fear) to lurch into the unknown. Think realistically about it. How bad could it be? Unless you are learning how to fold your own parachute or fashion a piece of elastic for your bungy-jumping dreams, the tasks of learning through trial -and - error do not usually create a fatal flaw in our endeavors.Not too many successful people grabbed a camera, scalpel, heat-gun and created an Earth shattering creation! How many of you girls took up a mascara pencil and perfected your face in the first ten minutes?I suggest this . . . Be willing to :

1. Ask questions of successful people.

2. Be willing to start and immediately try to improve.

3. Be willing to be to listen to and heed 'good advice'.

4. Find others who are starting out and learn as a 'team'.

5. Read, look, and listen.

6. Check out organizations like "IDEAWORKS' in Fresno.

7. Attend as many photographic exhibits and COSPLAY conventions as you can and ask the winners questions.

"Fail your way to the top?"NO!- LEARN and IMPROVE your way to wherever YOU want to go.

Is it ever too-late to start?

The answer is: "YES" because no one knows exactly how much time I really do have - so I will begin right NOW!

It all begins with a PLAN- a simple concept that will spark your creativity in a way that will launch you into the world of 'The Doers'. Take a pencil, pen, keystroke- whatever you have and write down=

"I have always wanted to ______ and the first thing I am doing right now is putting it in writing.then say out loud,​ "My brain is now engaged and I have begun the journey , , , , BLAST OFF!!!!!!!

I was speaking to customer services gentleman today and expressed (whined actually) about how I have had to wait, upload/download, copy, paste, transfer, click here- there and beyond as I needed to follow-up regarding one of my LEGAL SHIELD member accounts! I had spent at least one and a half of my human hours dealing with the cell phone, internet speeds, phone prompts and sending an attachment . . . Mentioned to him that, with the world of technology demanding that I change my ways, AND that it is not that easy to increase my IQ ('intelligence' quotient) in order to function in today's world. I blurted out something about the nerds are taking over and its not FAIR!His patients reply to me was a Bible verse that goes . . . "the MEEK shall inherit the Earth." Amen to THAT! Technology is/has taken over and my attitude and frustrations won't change that a tad or iota or anything else- will it. SO . . , now for those who are building MY Techno-future in the colleges and universities from CA to Peking- how about a new frat-house themed movie-​ THE MEEK GONE WILD! I'd watch it, even if out of spite!

Author

Doug Bloomer is a life long fan of visual creativity. This path has led him to working as an actor, published cartoonist, author, and award winning photographer. He has worked with Eric Clapton, Richard Geer, and Halle Berry - and now with YOU!